Macron Pins Legacy on France's 3rd World Cup Title in 2026
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 13
Macron Pins Legacy on France's 3rd World Cup Title in 2026
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 13
Summary
France’s World Cup campaign, opening Tuesday against Senegal in New Jersey, is shaping up as Emmanuel Macron’s last major chance to attach his presidency to a unifying national triumph.
At 47, Macron is a devoted soccer fan who has repeatedly tried to share in the men’s team’s success, but neither the 2018 title nor the 2024 Paris Olympics delivered a lasting political boost.
The 2018 win was quickly eclipsed by the Benalla scandal and the Yellow Jackets protests, while the Olympics unfolded as France was still reeling from Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament.
With Macron now a lame-duck president, allies say a deep 2026 run could still offer a rare moment to rally a divided country and polish his legacy before he leaves office.